It's A Big Night For Taylor Swift At The American Music Awards, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Kane Brown Also Score

October 9, 2018 at 6:05 PM (PT)

TAYLOR SWIFT, was the big winner at last night's AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS, setting an all-time record for a female at the ceremony, taking home three, including Artist Of The Year, Favorite Pop/Rock Album ("Reputation") and Tour Of The Year. Resplendent in a glittery black bodysuit, the recently politicized star opened with a show-stopping performance of "I Did Something Bad," the latest single from the multi-platinum album. SWIFT, who beat out DRAKE, IMAGINE DRAGONS, POST MALONE, CAMILA CABELLO and, ED SHEERAN for Artist Of The Year, made sure to use her stage time to urge viewers to vote in the upcoming NOVEMBER elections.

The show was broadcast on ABC (tape-delayed on the WEST COAST) from the MICROSOFT THEATER in LOS ANGELES, starting at 8 ET/5 PT..

CAMILA CABELLO earned an evening-high four awards, including New Artist of the Year, while "Havana," her duet with YOUNG THUG, earned three, including Favorite Pop/Rock Single, Collaboration Of The Year and Video Of The Year. She performed "Consequences" on the broadcast.

Country star KANE BROWN also took home three awards, including Favorite Male Artist Country, Favorite Country Album and Favorite Country Song for "Heaven."

POST MALONE received a pair, including Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock and Favorite Album Rap/Hip-Hop for "beerbongs & bentleys,"

XXXTENTACION, the 20-year-old rapper from FLORIDA who passed away last JUNE won posthumously for Favorite Album Soul/R&B for his debut, "17," with his overcome mom accepting the award for him. CARDI B and DRAKE, who was completely shut out, had led the field with eight nominations apiece.

A surprise high point was CIARA channeling BEYONCE complete with rap legend MISSY ELLIOTT and the requisite marching band for "Level Up," followed by,CARRIE UNDERWOOD,belting out "Spinning Bottles."

The show closed with Favorite Artist Alternative Rock winner PANIC! AT THE DISCO performing QUEEN's "Bohemian Rhapsody," with lead singer BRENDON URIE channeling FREDDIE MERCURY to mark the upcoming biopic, in which he's played by "Mr. Robot" star RAMI MALEK.

The climactic ARETHA FRANKLIN tribute, preceded by a filmed homage, took a fervent gospel bent, as GLADYS KNIGHT led off with a wrenching "Amazing Grace," followed by veteran DONNIE McCLURKEN wailing on "Chasing Higher Mountains," CECE WINANS performing "Mary, Don't You Weep," LEDISI nailing "How I Got Over" and MARY MARY finishing with "Old Landmark,":with full-on church choir. All the breathless TRACEE ELLIS ROSS could say in conclusion was, "What an amazing night."